Skeletal human remains in Ulster draw large police presence

Human remains found near Esopus Creek; police work to determine ID, cause of death

TOWN OF ULSTER >> Skeletal human remains were found Wednesday morning near the Esopus Creek, and the discovery drew a couple dozen police vehicles to the scene.

State police Capt. Robert Nuzzo said the remains were found about 7 a.m. by a person who was clearing brush in a wooded area to the east of Sawkill Road, near the Lukanoos Family Fun Center property.

Nuzzo said police did not know the identity of the deceased person or even whether the remains were male or female. He also said the cause of death had not been determined, and “we have no idea how long (the remains have) been there.”

Wednesday afternoon, more than 20 marked and unmarked police vehicles lined a dirt road leading away from a putting range at Lukanoos. A tent had been erected to serve as a command center for the investigation, and a police “Mobile Incident Command” truck was parked near it. A medical examiner also was present, said state police Lt. Mike Drake.

Drake, who was directing police efforts at the scene, said the “absolutely, clearly human” remains were found on private property near Lukanoos, though he declined to identify the property owner. He also would not say whether clothing or other personal effects had been found with the remains but said “other things have been discovered here” that are relevant to the investigation.

Nuzzo said cadaver dogs were working along the creek’s shore to “see what we can come up with” and a scuba unit was looking in the water for any personal effects that could help police identify the deceased person. He said state troopers were searching the general area for clues.

The captain said police were reviewing all missing-person cases in the area and were interviewing individuals “in some homeless communities.”

Drake said investigators would try to identify the remains through DNA testing and by checking dental records, but “it could be a day or two and it could be a week” before results are made public.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call state police at (845) 338-1702.